Fiona O'Malley (Independent)

The people deserve that honesty and they should get it at this first point when the vote is taken in the Dáil.

I cannot understand why Fianna Fáil and the Government have decided to stick with it because they are only making a rod for their own backs as they go. They will be brutalised in the general election when this happens because both major Opposition parties, while they recognise its importance, will say they did not do it. That is very dishonest. As a first step, I hope we will have a good, clean and honest debate where the Irish people will not be hoodwinked and will get the presentations from all the parties honestly about what can and cannot be done in the bind in which we find ourselves.

I wish good luck to everyone from this House who is standing for election. This morning, I heard a commentator who is an academic banking expert describe in an appalling manner all politicians, not just those who are politicians today but also those who are standing for election for the first time having decided their country needs them. It takes courage to stand up and to face the electorate, especially in these trying times. I again wish good luck to anyone in the House who is standing for election.

Dr. Garret FitzGerald was always described as a national treasure. In case we are not here again, I note that one Member who will not be back is Senator O'Toole, who I like to think is a national treasure. I pay tribute to the work he has done and I have no doubt it will continue.